Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-16

relief from tariff taxation in quarters
where Il can be most fairly and Justly
accorded. Nor can the presentation
made OF such consideration be, with any
degree OF fairness, regarded as evidence
OF unfriendliness toward our manufactur-
ing interests or OF any lack OF apprecia-
ton OF their value and importance These
interests constitute a leading and most
substantial element OF our national great
ness and furnish the proud proof OF our
countrys progress. But II in the emer
gency that presses upon us our manufac-
turers are asked TO surrender something
for the public good and TO avert disaster,
their patriotism as well as grateful
recognition Of advantages already afford
Ell, should lead them to willing co-opera-
ton. No demand IS made tuat they shall
forego all the benefits OF governmental
regard; but they cannot fail TO be ad
monished OF their duty as we'll
AZ their enlightened self inter
est and safety when they are re-
minded OF the fact that financial panic
and collapse. to which tho p esent condi-
ton tends, affords no greater shelter or
protection to our manufactures than to
our important enterprises. Opportunity
for safe, careful and deliberate reform IL
now offered; and none OF us should bc
unmindful OF a time when an abused and
irritated people, Needless OF those who
have resisted timely and reasonable relief,
may insist upon radical and sweeping
rectitcation OF their wrongs.
DIFFICULT TASK.
The difficulty attending wise and fair
revision OF our tariff laws is not over
estimated. Ii will require on the part OF
the congress great labor and care, and
especially broad ana national contem-
plation OF the subject and "A patriotic
disregard OF such local and selfish claims
as are unreasonable and reckless of the
welfare of the entire country. Under our
present laws more than 4, 600 articles are
subject to duty. Many of these do not in
any way compete with our own manu-
features and many are hardly worth at
tentlon "a subjects OF revenue. A con-
siderable reduction can be made in the
aggregate by adding them 10 the free list
The taxation OF Injuries presents no
features of harshipS, but the necessaries
OF life used and consumed by all the peo-
pie, the duty upon which adds TO the cost
OF living in every home, should Toe greatly
cheapened. The radical reduction OF the
duties imposed upon raw material used
in manufactures it's free importation
is, OF course an important factor in an
effort TO reduce the price OF these neces-
saries. 10 would not only relieve them
from the increased cost. caused bv the
tariff on such material. hut the manu-
facturers' product being thus cheapened.
that part OF the tariff now laid upon such
product as compensation to our manu-
tacturers for the present price OF raw
material couid be accord ingly modified.
Such reduction, or free importation,
would serve besides TO largely reduce the
revenue.
1t is not apparent how such a change
can have an injurious effect upon our
manufacturers. On the contrary, IL
would appear 10 give them a.better chance
in foreign markets with the manufacture
ers OF other countries who cheaper their
wares by free material. Thus our sople
might have the opportunity OF extending
their sales beyond the limits OF home con
sumption, saving them from the iepres
sion, interruption In business and loss
caused by n lutted domestic market and
and steal labor with its resulting quiet
and contentment
Not A PARTISAN ISSUE.
The question thus imperativelv present
ed for solution should be approached in a
spirit higher than partisan>hip and con-
sidered in the light OF that regard for
patriotic duty which should characterize
the action OF those intrusted with the
veal OF confiding people. but the obIiga-
ton TO declared party 20 icy and primer
effective action. Both OF the great polit-
ical parties now represented in thu gov
eminent have, by repeated and authori-
tative declarations. condemned the Condi-
tion of our laws which permits tue collec-
ton from the people of unnecessary rev
enue. and have, in the most solemn man
ner, promised US correction; and neither
as citizens nor partisans are our country
men In "A mood TO condone the deliberate
violation OF these pledges.
Our progress towards wise conclusion
will not lie improved 10y dwelling upon the
theories of protection and free trad. This
savors too much of bandving epithets.
IL condition which confronts us not n
theory. Relief from this condition may
involve slight reduction OF the advan-
tages which we award our home produc-
tions, but the entire withdrawal of such
advantages should not he contemplated.
NOT QUESTION or FREE TRADE.
The question OF free trade is absolutely
irrelevant, and the persistent claim in GER
tain quarters that all efforts to relieve thu
people from unjust and unnecessary taxa
tion are schs mes OF o-called frae-trhders,
is mischievouS end far removed from any
consideration for the public good. The
simple plain duty which we owe the
peope is to reduce taxation to the
necessary expenses OF an economics al
operation of the government and to
restore TO the business OF the country the
money which we hold in the treasury
through the perversion OF governmental
powers These things can and should he
done with safety TO all our industries
without danger to the opportunity for
remunerative labor which our working
men need, and with benefit TO them and
oil our people. by cheapening their means
OF subsistence and increasing the measure
Of their comforts,
in conclusion, the president says that
he Is SO much impressed with the import
ance OF the sub ject with which he has been
dealing that he shall forego the custom
ary reference to other matters, and for
these he refers congress to the depart
ment reports